The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1887-12-09


is made apparent thai, in the case OF
| large part of those who own sheep, the
benent or the present tarin on wool IS IL
| lusory; and, above ali. when it must be con-
| ceded that the Increase of the cost OF liy-
| ing caused by such tariff becomes burden
! upon those with moderate means and the poor,
| the employed and unemployed, the sick and
| well, and the young and old. ana that it con-
! stitutes a tax which, with relentless grasp, is
| fastened upon the clothing Of every man. won.
| an and child in the land, reasons are suggested
| why the removal or reduction of this duty
| should be included in revision of our tariff
| laws.
In speaking of the increased cost to the con-
! sumner of our home manufactures, resulting
! from duty laid upon imported articles of the
| same description. the fact IS not overlooked that
competition among our domestic producers
sonnet mes has the effect Of keeping the price Of
| their products below the highest limit allowed
| by such duty. But it is notorious that this COM
/ petition IS 100 often Strangled by combinations
! quite prevalent at this time and frequently
! called trusts, which have for their object the
| regulation OF the supply and price OF cCmmodi-
| ties made and sold by members OF the eombina-
| ton. The people can hardly hope for any con-
| sideration in the operation Of these selfish
| schemes.
| If, however, in the absence of such conbina-
| ton. healthy and free competition reduces
/ the price OF any particular dutiable article Of
| home production below the limit which it light
! otherwise reach under our tariff laws, and if,
| with such reduced price, its manufacture con-
ti1ues to thrive, 1t is entirely evident that one
! thing has been discovered which should be
carefully scruttnized in an effort to reduce taxa
| ton.
| The necessity of combination to maintain the
| price OF any commodity to the tariff point fur
nlshes proof that some one is willing TO accept
| lower prices for such commodity, and that such
| prices are remuneratiVe aud lower prices pro-
| duced by competition prove the same thing.
| Thus. where either Of these conditions exist
| ease would seem to be presented for an easy
| reduction of taxation,
The considerations which have been present
| ed touching our tariff laws are intended only TO
| enforce an earnest recommendation that the
| surplus revenues of the Government be pre-
vented by the reduction of our customs duties,
| and at the same time, to emphasize a suggestion
| that, in accomplishing this purpose, we may
| discharge double duty to our people by grant
| ing to them measure of relief from tariff TAX
| alton in quarters where it is most needed and
| from sources where it can be most fairly and
| justly accorded. Nor can the presentation
| made of such considerations be, with any de-
| gree OF fairness. regarded evidence of I'M
| friendlness toward our manufacturing inter-
| ests, or Of any lack Of appreciation Of their
| value and inheritance.
These interests constitute a leading and most
| substantial element Of our National greatness
| and furnish the proud proof of our country's
progress. But il, in the ener gency that presses
| upon us, our manufacturers are asked to sur
render something for the public good and
! to avert disaster their patriotism, as well as
| a grateful recognition OF advantages already
! afforded, should lead them to willing cc-opera-
! ton. No demand is made that they shall fore
| go all the benefits of governmental regard; but
/ tnSy can 121l 10 DS aQm00lSneQ OF hGlr duty,
| as well as their enlightened self-nterest and
| safety. when they are reminded of the fact that
| financial panic and collapse, to which the pres
| ent condition tends, afford no greater shelter
| protection to our manufactures than TO our
| other important enterprises. Opportunity for
| safe, careful and deliberate reform is now Of
| fared, and none OF us should be unmindfu of o
| time when an abused and Irritated people, heed
! less of those who have resisted timely and rea-
| sonable relief, may insist upon o radical and
| sweeping rectifcation of their wrongs.
The difficulty attending wise and fair re-
vision of our tariff laws is not underestimated.
| It will require on the part Of the Congress great
| labor and care, and especially broad and Ma
| tional contemplation of the subject, and patri-
olic disregard of such local and selfish claims as
are unre asonable and reckless of the welfare
| of the entire country.
| Under the present laws more than four thou
sand articles are subject to duty Many Of
| these do not in any Way compete with our own
| manufactures, and many are hardly worth at
| tention as subjects of revenue. a considerable
reduction can be made in the aggregate by adj
| ding them to the free list The taxation
| of luxurles presents no features Of hardship;
| but the neceSsaries of life used and consumed
| by all the people, the duty upon which ADDS to
| the cost of LIVING IN every home, should be
| greatly cheapened.
! The radical reduction of the duties imposed
| upon raw material used in manufactures, or It's
| free Importation, is of course an important
factor in any effort to reduce the price of these
necessaries; it would not only relieve them
| from the increased cost caused by the tar #
| on such material, but the manufactured
product, being thus cheapened, that part
| OF the tariff now laid upon such prod
| uct as compensation to manu-
| features for the present price Of raw material
| could be accordingly modified. Such reduction,
OR free importation, would serve beside to large
| ~ reduce the revenue 1t Is not apparent how
such change can have any injurious effect
| upon our manufactures. On the contrary, it
would appear to give them better chance in
| foreign markets with the manufacturers of 9TH
| er countries who cheaper their wares by free
| material. Thus our people might have the OPP
| portunty of extending their sales beyond the
| limits OF home consumpt on, saving them from
| the depression, interruption in business and
| loss caused by gutted domestic market, and
| afording their employees more certain and
steady labor, with its resulting quiet and con-
| tentment
| The question thus imperatiyely presented for
solution should be approached in sp.r.t higher
| than partisanship, and considered in the light
| of that regard for patriotic duty which should
| characterize the action of those intrusted
| with the veal or o confiding people. But
the obligation to declared party policy and
principal Is not wanting to urge prompt and eff
| fective action. Both OF the great political par
| ties now represented in The Government have,
! by repeated and authoritative declarations,
condemned the condition of our laws which per-
| nit the collection from the people of unneces-
| sary revenue, and have, in the most solemn
| manner, promised its correction; and neither
| as cit zens or partisons are our countrymen in
| q mood to condone the deliberate violation OF
| these pledges.
| Our progress toward wise conclusion will
of protection and Tree trade. This sayors too
| much of bandying epithets. 1t is con-
dition which eonfronts us, not theory.
a slight reduction OF the advantages
which we award our home productions;
| but the entire withdrawal OF such advantages
| should not be contemplated. The question Of
free trade is absolutely irrelevant: and the per-
sistent claim made in certain quarters, that all
efforts to relieve the people from unjust and un-
| necessary taxation are schemes Of so-caled
freP-1rnderS miscellaneous
| from any consideration the for public good.
| The simple and plain duty which we owe the
people is to reduce taxation to the necessary ex-
penses of an economical operation Of the Gov
| eminent, and to restore to the business of the
| country the money which we hold in the treas
| ury, through the perversion OF governmental
| powers. These things can and should be done
with safety to all our industries without danger
| to the opportunity for remunerative labor
| which our working men need, and with benefit
| to them and all our people, by cheapening their
| means of subs stence and increasing the meas
| ure OF their comforts.
The constitution provides that the President
| shall from time to time give to the Congress
! information OF the state of the Union" 1t has
| been the custom OF the Executive, in compliance
! with this provision, to annually exhibit to the
Congress, at the opening OF its session, the gem
eral condition of the country and to detail, with
| some particularly, the operations of the
different executive departments. 1t would
| be especially agreeable to follow this
| course at the present time, and to
| call attention to the valuable accomplish
| ments OF these departments during the last
! fiscal year. But 1 am so much impressed with
| the paramount Importance OF the subject to
! which this communication has thus far been
| devoted, that shall forego the add ton of any
other topic, and only urge upon your immediate
| consideration the Estate Of the Union" as
| shown in the present condition of our Treasury
| and our general fiscal situation, Upor Which
every element OF our safety and prosperity de-
| ponds.
The reports of the heads OF departments
| which VIII be submitted, contain full and ex-
| p!ieit Information touching the transaction of
the business intrusted to them, and such recon-
mendations relating to legislation in the public
interests as they deem ADVISABLE. I ask for
these reports and recommendations the DELHI
crate examination and action OF the legislative
branch of the Government
There are other subjects not embraced in the
departmental reports demanding legislative
consideration, and which I should be glad to
submit Some of them, however, have been
| earnestly presented IN previous messages and
as to them beg leave to repeat prior recon-
mendations.
As the law makes no provision for any report
from the Department of State, brief history
OF the transactions of that important depart
ment together W tn other matters which it may
hereafter be deemed essential to commend to
the attention of the Congress, may furnish the
occasion for future communication.